Eggasperated Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 This morning I found a very large dead fox in my garden, he looks in very good condition so I don't know what he died of - I don't want to look too closely. Have been phoning round vet, Environmental Health, SSPCA, etc but can't get anyone to remove it. I'm concerned for my own dog in case it's something catching so I don't really know what to do, the council suggested I put it in my rubbish bin , which I thought was a bit odd, does anyone have any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Funnily enough, DEFRA recommendations on any dead critters are to double-bag and bung 'em in the bin If your council's environmental department won't come out to deal with it then I'd be tempted to do just that. How very odd though, I wonder what killed it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I would double bag it and put it in the bin or take it to the tip. It may well have been hit by a car and staggered into your garden to die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I remember someone posting a similar story some time ago and the council told them to put the dead fox in the road as it would be removed from there but they couldn't collect from a garden ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share Posted February 22, 2011 Yes, those are the replies my council gave. I just went and peered at it again and there is no sign of any injury, also we're a long way from the road and over a wall so I can't imagine it could have got here after being hit by a car. I do have an electric fence round the chickens but surely that couldn't have killed it? One of my cats is also acting peculiarly today, not eating, coming in to sleep when she's normally out all day - I do hope no-ones put any poison down, although I think the cat would be much worse if it was that. The dog seems upset too perhaps something went on in the night I'm not aware of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 If you are nowhere near a road I would keep a very close eye on your pets in case someone has put poison down. Particularly keep an eye on their mucous membranes (gums and pink bits around their eyes) for unusual paleness or any blood in poo or vomiting. It is poison let's hope that your animals have not had access to it. The electric fence should not be strong enough to kill a fox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share Posted February 22, 2011 Thank you Chucky Mama, I will have a look at my cat as it is poison I'm worried about. She seems quite alert just unwilling to eat or go out, also I'm not sure whether there is any change in her gums as she has quite a lot of white on her and is normally quite pale. She has definitely not vomited since she's been in (about 3 hours), so I'm hoping everything is OK. The dog just appears to be reacting off my upset, he is quite a sensitive soul despite his size. Just the fox to dispose of now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 It may be the smell of the dead fox. The smell of death is very strong for animals and cats are so prone to stress. If you gently press the gum of you cat so that the colour goes, it should quickly return to pink. This shows that all is well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share Posted February 22, 2011 If you gently press the gum of you cat so that the colour goes, it should quickly return to pink. This shows that all is well. Well I've tried that and now have a very cross cat and bitten fingers, and am none the wiser. However I did find that she has what looks like a bite on her side which is not bleeding but looks very sore. I think I will try and get a better look at it when she has calmed down a bit and when I can get someone else to hold her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Oops It sounds like the sore may be the cause of her behaviour then. She may have a cat bite abscess brewing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 They can get a bit cross with an infected bite as they cause quite a lot of pain, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories are usually needed. Hope she gets better soon, I wouldn't want to pick up a dead fox - watch out for fleas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share Posted February 22, 2011 Fox double-bagged and in bin, female with not a mark on it, no idea why it died. Cat still not eating, have had a good look at the wound, it's clean with no sign of abscess yet but I will keep a close eye on it. With all this today I've had no time to think about the fact I have to go into hospital tomorrow for a minor op, so perhaps there is a reason for everything that happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I was going to add about your dog that once I was throwing a ball in my sister's garden for Cookie to retrieve and she was running in a straight line until she got to a certain point and then she would do a detour. She did this every time and looked quite distressed in the end. I went and had a look and there was a very small dead mouse where she wouldn't walk. I think they're very sensitive souls. I hope your cat is ok and feels better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
